Who will be the league’s most feared and prolific tacklers in 2016? This fall’s top linebacker crops are populated by several of the usual run-stuffing suspects.
This week, the Big Ten blog is ranking which teams are strongest at each position group. It’s been three years since the conference has had a first-team AP All-American at linebacker. There are some candidates to stop the two-year hiatus at each of our top three schools. The Big Ten hasn't wavered in being a perennial producer of some of the nation’s best run defenses. These top-tier schools all have a shot at being just as dominant in 2016.
Big Ten teams with the best linebackers
Why Wisconsin has the best linebackers: The Badgers return all but one member (Big Ten linebacker of the year Joe Schobert) to a linebacker crew that allowed less than 100 rushing yards per game last fall. They have plenty of depth to mitigate Schobert’s departure. New defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox was smart to stick with a 3-4 front and keep as many of these guys on the field as possible.
Senior Vince Biegel is a regular resident of opposing backfields (14 TFLs last season) and the group’s veteran presence. Chris Orr and T.J. Edwards were forces in the middle as freshmen, combining for 130 tackles, and should improve with a full year under their belts. T.J. Watt is in position for the other starting spot so far this spring, which leaves Jack Cichy – the man who picked up three sacks on three consecutive plays during the Badgers’ last game – as the odd man out. He’ll get plenty of time in this deep and talented rotation.
Why Michigan State and Ohio State are runners-up:
Senior Riley Bullough will be the voice and face of the Spartans’ defense this fall. The three-year starter provides a mixture of speed and experience in the middle. Coupled with the expected return of sixth-year senior Ed Davis and juniors Jon Reschke and Chris Frey, Bullough gives Mark Dantonio his fastest group of linebackers yet.
Junior Raekwon McMillan will be a candidate to head to the NFL draft a year early next season. He leads another uber-athletic group of Buckeyes in the middle of the defense despite losing a likely first-round draft pick in Darron Lee. Chris Worley and Dante Booker have waited in the wings behind Lee and fellow future pro Joshua Perry for the last couple years. Both Worley and Booker have the athleticism to keep pace with the guys they will be replacing.
Team that just missed the top-three cut: Northwestern Wildcats
Anthony Walker is a defensive player of the year candidate for the Big Ten this season. He finished with a league-high 20.5 tackles for loss during a breakout sophomore season in 2015. Jaylen Prater, Nate Hall and redshirt freshman Nathan Fox wach provide more reasons to consider the middle of Northwestern’s defense one of the program’s sturdiest spots.
Team that needs to step up: Michigan Wolverines
With arguably the league’s best secondary and defensive line surrounding them, Michigan’s inexperienced group of linebackers will face some pressure this season to avoid being the weak link of what should be one of the nation’s top defenses. There is certainly potential for them to carry their weight. Redshirt sophomore phenom Jabrill Peppers’ move to outside linebacker gives the position a seasoned playmaker. Seniors Ben Gedeon and Mike McCray are new to starting roles, but have the potential to be impactful players if they stay healthy. Michigan’s linebackers have the scheme, the size and the support around them to be good this season, but they remain in the “prove it” category heading into the season because of a dearth of experience.